14 “How then can I dispute with him?
    How can I find words to argue with him?(A)
15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;(B)
    I could only plead(C) with my Judge(D) for mercy.(E)
16 Even if I summoned him and he responded,
    I do not believe he would give me a hearing.(F)
17 He would crush me(G) with a storm(H)
    and multiply(I) my wounds for no reason.(J)
18 He would not let me catch my breath
    but would overwhelm me with misery.(K)
19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty!(L)
    And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him[a]?(M)
20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me;
    if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.(N)

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Footnotes

  1. Job 9:19 See Septuagint; Hebrew me.

14 (A)How then can I (B)answer him,
    choosing my words with him?
15 (C)Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him;
    I must (D)appeal for mercy to my accuser.[a]
16 If I summoned him and he answered me,
    I would not believe that he was listening to my voice.
17 For he crushes me with a tempest
    and multiplies my wounds (E)without cause;
18 he will not let me get my breath,
    but fills me with bitterness.
19 If it is a contest of (F)strength, behold, he is mighty!
    If it is a matter of justice, who can (G)summon him?[b]
20 Though I am in the right, (H)my own mouth would condemn me;
    though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 9:15 Or to my judge
  2. Job 9:19 Or who can grant me a hearing?